Party suspends Manicaland youth leader

Source: Party suspends Manicaland youth leader | The Herald September 13, 2016

Cletus Mushanawani in Mutare—
ZANU-PF Manicaland Youth League has suspended its education secretary, Kudzai Madhara, for allegedly collecting money from prospective students desperate for places at teachers’ colleges in Mutare. Madhara, who is alleged to have collected between $250 and $300 from desperate students, was suspended yesterday to pave way for investigations after about 15 complainants wrote to the party exposing the scam.

The scam has since been reported to the police in Rusape. Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, confirmed receiving reports from three complainants. “I can confirm that we are investigating the matter after we received three reports,” he said.

Zanu-PF provincial youth chairman, Cde Mubuso Chinguno, said: “We have suspended Madhara with immediate effect, to pave way for investigations on the allegations being levelled against him. Madhara is alleged to have approached prospective students desperate to secure places at local colleges and made them pay between $250 and $300 on the pretext that he would secure places for them.

“This never materialised, and some of the duped people approached our offices to register their complaints. We decided to suspend him since the number of complainants is increasing. We were informed that three of them have since approached the police and reported the matter. We have other six cases that were brought to our attention. More cases are still coming, and we are calling on all those who have complaints against Madhara to come forward so that proper investigations can be instituted.” When approached for a comment, Madhara said: “I am aware of the manoeuvres to suspend me, but this is just politics at play. Some people are desperate to have me out of their way as they think I am also eyeing the Makoni Central seat.

“I am still to receive my suspension letter, but I have nothing to hide. Let them carry out their investigations.” Cde Chinguno said they do not condone corruption.

“We urge those tasked to carry out the investigations to get to the bottom of the matter. Zanu-PF is not associated with corruption, and we should not capitalise on people’s desperation to dupe them. We will not shield anyone associated with corruption because Zanu-PF is a very big institution,” he said.